Page 35 of The Boss and the Adoption Mess

"Hmm." Gabriel thinks it over but doesn’t push further. My happiness is right in front of me, but not if he’s my boss. That would just be asking for drama.

The smell of cocoa fills the kitchen, and the four of us enjoy a sweet, delicious drink. Rosie is over the moon; Sally loves it too. And judging by Gabriel’s face, he’ll be using alternatives like this often to make his niece happy.

It’s so unfair that a little girl has to be careful about everything she eats and drinks. I went through the same thing as a kid. I used to be so angry that this was my fate, but in the end, I managed fine — and life is still wonderful, even with those limits. Rosie will learn that too…

“I want to drink this every morning now!” Rosie blurts out excitedly.

“Would like.It’swould like,” Gabriel corrects her.

“Iwould like,please, absolutely, for us to drink this every morning now.” She grins so widely it makes me giggle.

“It really is good,” Gabriel says to me, then adds, “A great tip. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. So… I should get going.” I set my cup on the counter and crouch down to Rosie’s level. “It was a real pleasure. You’ll put the flowers in water, right? When I get home, I’ll put mine in water too. Every day, Gabriel or Sally will trim the stems and change the water. That way, they’ll last a few days longer.”

“Okay, I’ll remember that.” She nods excitedly.

“Great.”

As I start to stand, the little one darts toward me and hugs me tight. What a sweetie.

“Have a wonderful day. And no more running off, okay?”

“I promise,” she murmurs, slowly letting go.

I straighten up and give Sally a quick nod, then turn to Gabriel. I actually wanted to say something else, but he speaks first.

“I’ll walk you to the elevator.” He looks at Rosie. “You can go to my office and keep working on that picture, okay?”

“Okay.” Rosie slips past us, hurries into his office, then peeks out the door. She waves at me, and I wave back as Gabriel, and I walk past.

“She’s so incredibly sweet, that little one.” How could anyone not like her?

“Yes, she is.”

“It can’t be easy to work and take care of her, can it?” I ask.

“No. Not really.” Gabriel exhales and hits the elevator button. “In the future, Rosie might be with me more often, but I needto focus on work. So, I still need a personal assistant. And a babysitter.” His eyes meet mine. I swallow hard.

“Then I hope you find someone good soon.”

“Rosie likes you.”

“I like her too.” Could this elevatorpleaseget here faster so I can get in and escape?

“I’m going to make you an offer. You can think about it and let me know your decision later."

“Okay?” A weird feeling creeps over me.

“I’d like to have you for both positions. The pay would be off the charts.”

“I’m supposed to do two jobs at once?” At least the pay part sounds interesting.

“Not just that. But I can go over the details when you’re not about to step into an elevator.”

Which is arriving right now. The doors slide open, but I stay where I am.

“You need money. I have money. I want to adopt my niece. And for that, I need someone to look after her, since my time’s so limited.”